4 sentenced in VW Common Pleas Court

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Four people were sentenced, two entered a change of plea and one person was arraigned during hearings held this week in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Justin Snyder, 34, of Van Wert, was sentenced to 23 months in prison on a charge of assault on a police officer, a felony of the fourth degree. Judge Charles D. Steele gave Snyder credit for 78 days already served and ordered him bound over to the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office for transport to prison.

Three other people were given community control on a variety of charges.

Trinity Joseph Snyder, 33, of Van Wert, was given three years of community control on charges of abduction, a fourth-degree felony offense, and domestic violence, a misdemeanor of the first degree. Snyder was also ordered to have no contact with the victim in the case until approved by the Van Wert County Adult Probation Department.

Tausha Walsh, 41, of Van Wert, was placed on three years of community control on one count each of possession of methamphetamines and possession of drugs, both felonies of the fifth degree. Her driver’s license was also suspended for six months.

Seth Bireley, 25, of Rockford, was given three years of community control on three counts of breaking and entering, all fifth-degree felonies, and one count of failure to appear, a felony of the fourth degree. He must also spend up to six months in the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center in Lima and must pay restitution of $770.89 to victim Randall Agler and $400 to victim Matthew Motycka as part of his community control sentence.

Two people also changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty during hearings this week.

Donna Cole, 45, of Wren, pleaded guilty to a prosecutor’s bill of information charging her with obstructing official business, a misdemeanor of the second degree. A fifth-degree felony count of obstructing justice was dismissed in exchange for her guilty plea. Judge Steele ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 13.

Richard Schneider, 28, of Fort Jennings, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony offense. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing set for 9 a.m. August 13.

Also Wednesday, Jordan Vickery, 31, of Van Wert, denied violating his probation by being terminated from his WORTH Center program. A hearing was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, August 4, on the matter.

Denver Workman, 47, of Lima, entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment hearing on a charge of illegal use of supplemental nutrition (food stamp) benefits, a felony of the fifth degree. He was released on a personal surety bond and a pretrial conference scheduled for 8 a.m. August 13.

Three people also waived their rights to a speedy trial during hearings in Common Pleas Court.

James Reynolds, 35, of Continental, signed a time waiver after requesting that his trial, originally scheduled for August, be delayed so that his new attorney, William Kluge of Lima, would have time to prepare his defense. Judge Steele granted the request and continued his trial until a later date.

Andrew Thomas, 32, of Ohio City, also signed a time waiver after requesting a delay to his August trial. Judge Steele granted a continuance in his trial as well.

Kiel Martin, 28, of Delphos, also signed a waiver of his right to a speedy trial and requested a delay in his trial, which was also scheduled for August. A continuance was granted by Judge Steele after Martin signed the time waiver.